Tour de France

[Grahaml]

I didn't hear this before, but the BIG news is that Astana were not invited to join the tour this year. For those who don't know, the old Discovery Channel team disbanded, and so Contador (the winner) and Leipheimer (who came third) both joined Astana. Basically, this means from last years tour, the main contenders NOT participating this year are Rasmussen, Contador, Leipheimer, Vinokourov and Kloden, leaving Evans miles ahead based on last year's results. With Michael Rogers looking good last year until he crashed the chances of getting an Aussie winner are enormous.

[devilsadvocate]

I heard that over here a couple of days ago, specifically that Contador was not participating in the Tour this year, but I didn't know that Leipheimer had also joined Astana.

It gives Michael Rogers and Cadel Evans an excellent chance of taking the yellow jersey back to Aus. Could it even be a 1-2?

I really hope Rogers is in good form and in contention again this year. The way he went down last year, got back up and rode on before retiring in tears was devastating. It would be a great story for him to come back and win the whole thing. Plus, I'll be on the champs Elysee for the final leg ito Paris and it would be a dream come true to see an Aussie win one of world sport's most iconic events.

[devilsadvocate]

Sounds like Rogers is bang up for getting a yellow jersey on his back this year:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06012008/ ... glory.html